Songhai and Gao: An Empire Built Around the Niger
Gao’s history brings together river transport, farming, royal ambition and Islamic learning. Archaeology, written records and oral performance reveal how the Songhai Empire developed, how its…
EXPLORE THE COLLECTION
Slavery
-
Read the article: Songhai and Gao: An Empire Built Around the Niger
-
Dahomey and Abomey: The Palaces That Recorded a Kingdom
Read the article: Dahomey and Abomey: The Palaces That Recorded a KingdomAbomey’s palaces preserve histories of craftsmanship, royal authority, women’s political and military service, and the violence of slave trading and colonial conquest. Objects, oral testimony and…
-
The Kingdom of Benin: A City, a Court and the Making of Edo History
Read the article: The Kingdom of Benin: A City, a Court and the Making of Edo HistoryThe Kingdom of Benin grew around an Edo royal capital in present-day Nigeria. Its earthworks, court institutions and extraordinary artworks reveal a history of political ambition,…
-
Asante Architecture: The Courtyards, Crafts and Shrines That Preserve a Kingdom’s History
Read the article: Asante Architecture: The Courtyards, Crafts and Shrines That Preserve a Kingdom’s HistoryAround Kumasi, surviving Asante shrine buildings preserve a distinctive architecture of courtyards, earthen walls and symbolic reliefs. Their history connects skilled makers and religious communities with…
-
Kilwa Kisiwani: An African City in the Indian Ocean World
Read the article: Kilwa Kisiwani: An African City in the Indian Ocean WorldKilwa’s merchants, builders and rulers helped shape the Indian Ocean world. Its coral architecture, copper coins and maritime archaeology reveal an African city whose connections reached…